Marking machine



Oct. 16,1928. 1,687,635

- F. A. PUTNAM MARKING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor. Fre d A. Fuinqm Oct. 16, 1928. 1,687,635

F. PUTNAM MARKING MACHINE Filed July 1924 I5 heets-Sheet 2 Fig; 2.

3 63 as I...

- Invnfor. Fred A. Puinqm by Anya F. A. PUTNAM MARKING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m H w u H mTA mm n 7. MA 4 d 1 MM .0 .MI. a w o 5 9 m m I I W 4/. H/.. w /u a a] 7 E F.

Patented Get. 16, 192 s.

urirruo STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED A. YPUTNAM, OF 'KEENE, IIfIIIifiRl' HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGHOE T MARKEM MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MAR-K ne Application filed m a,

This invention relates to marking machines of the type which comprise. a work support and a printing head carrying type characters and movable toward and from the work support to make the printed impression on thework. v

One feature of this invention relates to a novel construction by which the setting of the type in the printing head may be facilitated. This is accomplished by providingthe printinghead with a type-holding member which is so constructed that the type can be placed into it or removed therefrom from above. For this purpose the printing'head is made with. an open top so that the individual type can be inserted into the type holder through the open top'and suitable means are provided for locking the type in the type holder and providing a suitable backing therefor during the printing operation.

By means of this construction the type can be quickly and easily set while the type-holding member is in the machine.

Still other features of the invention relate to various improvements in printing machines all as will be morefully hereinafter set forth. j

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a side view of a marking machine embodying my invention and showing the type in inking position; 1 1

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the printing head in position to make the printed impression;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View through the printing head; v t

Fig. & is a fragmentary sectional view showing the work'support which may be used for supporting a boX or carton in order that the printed impression may he made on the end thereof; 1

Fig. is a perspective view of the printing head showing the backing member 33 raised which is the position of the parts when'the type is being set;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the printing head Fig.7 is an 'enlargedperspective view of one of the type.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the work support onwhich the work to beprinted is supported is indicated at 1 and the printing head indicated generally at 2. these parts being sup orted on a suitable frame 3 which, in the emoodiment MACHINE.

1924. Serial N0. 723 974i.

herein illustrated, is constructed to be supported on a bench or table;74.-. 1

The printing head 2, the construction'of which willbe described later, carries suitable type members 30 by which the printed impression is made. This printing head is shown as secured on the lower end of an arm 4 which is pivotally connected at 5 to one end of a lever 6, the latter being pivoted at 7 to the frame 3, said, lever being acted on by a suitable spring 8 which tends to raise the end thereof to which the printing head is secured. The arm 4i has also pivoted thereto at 9'0ne member 10 of atoggle joint device, the other member 11 of which is pivoted to the frame at 12. These two members 10 and 11 are pivotally connectedat 18 and themember 11- has a foot. treadle (not shown) connected thereto by means of a rod or connection 14. indicates a pulling spring which is co'nnected at one end to the pivotal connection 13 of the toggle lever device andat its other end isconnected to the frame. preferably to the pivotal connection 7. This spring 15 has a normal tendency, therefore, to break the toggle device 10, 1.1 as shown in Fig. 1 thereby swinging the printing head'backwardly and the action of this spring 15 together with that of the spring 8 raises the printing head as it is swung backwardly.

Fig. 1 shows the parts intheir normal position in which position the printing head is above and'to therear ofthe work support 1 thus leaving theglatter free to receive the work to be printed or marked. Whenthe treadle isfdepressed'the downward pullpon the connection 14 straightens thetoggle lever 10. 11 thereby swinging the arm 4 and the printing head 2 forwardly and continued pulling movement on the connectionl l moves the printing head downwardly into engagement with the work. l

The toggle device 10, 11 is providedwith a stop which limits the relative movement of the two members 10 and 11 when they are in alignment. This stop device isshown as a projection 16 on the toggle member 10 and an adjustable stop screw 17 on the member 11, said screw being so adjusted in the boss 18 that it engages the projection lfijwhen the two members 10 and 11 are in alignment as shownin Fig. 2. When the members, thus come into "alignment the toggle device 10, 11

becomes practically a rigid structure so far as the downward pulling action of the link 14 is concerned and at such time this downward movement is transmitted through the now rigid toggle device 10, 11 to the arm 4 and printing head 2.

The toggle device 10, 11 when straightened is substantially the length. of the lever (ibetween the pivots 5,7 so that said lever and the straightened toggle device operate with a parallel ruler motion. As a result the final downward movement of the printing head is in true vertical direction so the the type will come squarely against. the work. This results in making a clear-cutimpression.

lVhen the pressure on the treadle is removed the contacting action of the springs 15 and 8 result in raising the printing head and swinging it backwardly into the position shown in Fig. 1.

The frame 3 is provided with an adjustable stop 19 against which the toggle member 11 rests when the parts are in their normal position.

The type are inked by an inking pad '20 which is constructed to be brought against the type when the printing head is in its normal position. This inking pad is secured to a swinging arm or member 21 whichis pivoted 22 to an arm 23 extending from the frame and the member 21 is connected to the printing head by a link 24L. The 0011- struction is such that when the partsare in the position shown in Fig. 1 the pivotal con nection 25 between the link 24: and the head 2 is at the right or to the rear of the pivotal connection 26 between the link and the member 21, while'when the printing head is in printing position the pivotal connection 5 is to the left or in front of the pivotal connection 26. As a result when the printing head starts to swing forwardly'from theposit-ion shown in Fig. 1 dueto the straightening of the toggle-10, 11, the inking pad will be carried downwardly and thus separated from thetype 30, this separating movement occurring as the printing head begins to move forwardly sothat the type will not have a dragging movement across the face of the inking pad. Similarly when the printing head returns to the position shown in Fig. 1 the inking pad will be given an upward movement during the last part of the swinging movement of the printing head thus bringing the pad squarely against the type.

Another feature of my invention relates to the manner in which the type are supported in the printing head. saidprinting head is provided with an opening in its top and the type are arranged to beset by insertiIig them through the opening.

The individual type are held in a type.- holding member or type chase which is-preferably so constructed that thetype can be placed in position from above. As illustrating one form of type and type chase which is suitable for this purpose I would. refer to a co-pending application Serial Number 698,869, filed March 13th, 1924 jointly by face of thetype projecting below the bars.

The printing head herein shown includes a type chase or type-holding member 27 such as illustrated in said co pending application. This type-holding member is a sort of skeleton structure comprising a rimportion which has type-carrying bars 28 extending there across from one end to the other. Each bar or member :28 .is provided with a type-receiving slot 31, which is open atthe top and bottom and into which the type 30 are placed. Each type is formed with shoulders 32 which rest on the, sides 29 of the slotted member and are, therefore, properly positioned. The lower end of the arm 4: is shown as being forked and the type-holding member 27 is secured to the arms 61 of said fork. 'For this purpose the type-holding member 27 is provided at its rear edge with a lip 62 which is received in a notch in; the arms of the fork and it is provided at its front edge with a lip or flange 36 which is engaged by the clamping members 63 that are secured to the Fig: 5 and when it is thus raised the printing head is open at the top and the type are eX- posed through the opening so that the type may be readily inserted into the slots 31 from above or removed from the slots. This removable backing member 33 may be supported in any approved way. Onedesirable construction is that herein shown wherein it is carried by a rod 25 that is pi-votally mounted inthe arms 61 of the printing head so that the member 33 may be swung upwardly about the pivot from the full line position Fig. 3 to the dotted line position. It will be observed that when said member 33 is in its raised position the printing head is open at the top so that the type are accessible from above and can be changed or set as desired. Whenthe backing 33 is in its operative position shown in Fig. 3 it rests against the upper ends of the type and clamps the shoulders 32 thereof firmly against the side-29 of the bars 28 thus holding the type securely in' place for making a printed impression.

Any suitable means may be employed for locking the backing member in its operative type the treadle may be'depressed sufficiently tostraighten the toggle device 10, 11 thus separating the printing head from the inking pad and bringing it into the midway position. \Vith the printing headheld "in this position thelatch may be released and the backing member 33 swung up out of the way. Ihis exposes the type so that they can be insertedinto the type-receiving slots 31 from above or if a change in the type is made the type that are in the slots can be withdrawn from above and the necessaryresetting or change in the type accomplished. Vihen this is done the backing member 33 is brought back into its operative position shownin F ig.

3 and locked therein by the member 35 thus a firmly clamping the typeinplace.

This provides avery simple and easy method of setting the type or changing the type as it is not necessaryto remove the type-holding member from the printing head for this purpose. I

The work support shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is adapted for use in printing labels or flat sheets, a label. 39 or other sheet to be printed being placed in the work support as indicated in Figs 1, 2 and 3. r

In Fig. 4 I have shown a different type of work support which is specially designed for use in supporting a box or carton (either empty or filled) so that the printed impression may be made on the end of the box. In Fig. i the box to be printed, such for instance as a shoe box, is indicated at 40 and the cover therefor being indicated at 4-1. The work support for use in printing on the end of said box includes a blade 42 secured to a suitable holder 43 forming part of or connected to the frame 3. This blade. 42 is adapted to be inserted between the end d4 of the box and the end 45 of the cover so thatwhen the box is slipped onto the work support, as indicated in Fig. 4, the-end 45 of'the'box will be properly positioned to receive the printed sion from the type members 30.

46 indicates a hold down which is arranged to overlie the edge of the box cover end and thus assist in holding the box in proper posi impresward and from the latter, said printing head having type-holding means constructed so that individual type may be inserted therein or removed therefrom from the side opposite that-which faces the work support and while the printing head 1s m operative POSitlOll 1n the machine, and means for locking the type in the printing head during the operative movement of the latter, said means forming a backing member for the type through which pressure is applied thereto for making the printed impression.

2. In a marking n achine, the combination with a work support, of a printing headmovable toward and from said work supportand having an opening therethrough, type-holdmg means situated within said opening and adapted to support separately a plurality of type, wherebythc separate type'may he individually inserted into or removed from the type-holding means through the top of the printing head'an d means carried by the printing head for locking the type therein and through which pressure is applied to the type for mahnig the printed impression.

able toward andfrom said'work support and having type-holding means constructed so that the type may be inserted therein or reprinted impression is transferred to the type.

4:. In a marking machine, the combination with a work support, of a printing head movable toward and from said work support and having type-holding means constructed so that the type may be inserted therein or re moved therefrom through the top of the printing head, and a removable backing member engaging the upper end of the type during the entire movement of the printing head and retaining said type in the typeholding means, the pressure to which the type is subjected in making'the printed impression being applied through said backing member.

5. In amarking machine, the combination with a work support, of a printing head mov able toward and from said work support and having anopening therethrough, type-holding means situated within said opening, whereby the type may be inserted into or removed from the type-holding means through the top of the printing head, and a backing member carried by the printing head for engaging the upper ends of the type during the entire movement of the printing head and retaining said type means.

6. In a marking machine, the combination (m 3., In amarking machine, thecombination with a work support, of a printing head movloo lZ-Ell in the type-holding.

whereby the type may be inserted into orremoved from the typeholding means through the opening in the printing head, and a back-' mg member pivoted to the printing head and adapted to engage the upper ends of the type and hold them in the type-holding means.

7. In a marking machine, the combination with a work support, of a printing head movable toward and from said work support and having an opening therethrough and typeholding means situated within said opening, whereby the type may be inserted into or removed from the type-holding means through the opening in the printing nead, a backing member pivoted to the type head and adapted to engage the upper ends of the type and hold themin the type-holding means, and a locking device to lock the backing member in operative position. i

' 8. In a marking machine, the combination with a work support, of a printing head movable toward and from the work support, a type chase carried by the printing head and constructed so that the type may be setinto, the type chase from the side opposite that which faces the work support and while'the type chase is in the printing head, andmeans carried by said printing head to apply pressure to the type for making a printed impIBSSlOll. i

9. In a marking machine, the combination with a worksupport, of a printing head-movable toward and from the work support, of

a type chase having type-holding slots extending theret-hrough, said printing head 1 through which type may be set into the type chase from the side thereof which is opposite the work support, and a movable backing member carried by the printing head and arranged to engage the end of the type when they are in the type chase and retain them therein during the printing operation and also transmit to them the pressure required to make a printed impression.

11; In a marking machine, the combination with a work support, of a printing head movable toward and from said work support, a type chase carried by the printing head and having type-receiving slots I extending therethrough from one side to the other, said printing head having an opening through which type may be set into the type chase from the side thereof which is opposite the work support, and amovable backing mem ber adapted to fill said opening and engage the ends of the type thereby to hold them in the type chase and transmit to them' the pressure required to make a printed impression.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification,

FRED A. PUTNAM. 

